Pandemic lesson: handle hard better

Supply chain disruption isn’t slowing down, it’s becoming the baseline. So what separates leaders who keep up from those who fall behind?

In this episode, Scott Luton sits down with Mike Griswold, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, to break down what it takes to lead in 2026. Mike revisits key lessons from the pandemic, including why top organizations “handle hard better,” and explains why “winning in the turns” still applies in today’s environment of constant disruption.

They also unpack where many leaders are misreading AI, especially as supply chain and IT continue to converge, and what that means for CSCOs. You’ll hear Gartner’s top three priorities for supply chain leaders, plus practical examples of how AI is already improving decision-making, from vendor selection to faster insights.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:17) What the pandemic taught supply chain leaders about handling hard

(06:02) A broader perspective on AI and the rise of LLMs

(08:40) Why winning in the turns still matters

(12:15) Quantum risk and the future of data security

(14:56) Why so many leaders are misreading AI strategy

(19:00) The top priorities for CSCOs in 2026

(22:53) Where agentic AI is creating real value

(27:34) What supply chain leaders in 2050 may say about today

(31:38) Join the conversation at Gartner Supply Chain Symposium

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Mike Griswold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-griswold-6a68922/
• Connect with Mike through email: mike.griswold@gartner.com
• Learn more about Gartner: https://www.gartner.com/en
• Learn more about the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo™ 2026 conference: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/symposium-us
• Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about
• Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com
• Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now
• Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk
• Supply Chain Now en Espanol WEBINAR- Visibilidad estrategica en Pharma: control, cumplimiento y resiliencia en entornos de alto riesgo: https://bit.ly/4rku7lC
• WEBINAR- Talent Management Playbook for Supply Chain Leaders: https://bit.ly/4uc2OfB
• WEBINAR- From Workforce Planning to Hourly Performance Management: How GEODIS Americas Turned Labor Productivity into a Growth Engine: https://bit.ly/4blRfKp
• WEBINAR- Ahead of Disruption: How AI-First Design Builds Supply Chain Resilience — and Transforms the Teams Behind It: https://bit.ly/4ldRn3b

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/priorities-cscos-2026-boards-still-getting-wrong-1564